Another emtb topic, maybe not the norm.
Discussion
Back story:
3 years ago my wife was diagnosed with a pretty terrible brain tumour, she's doing really well and beating the dismal odds of surviving what she has. But the tumour has left her with a lot of left side weakness and she's left handed, I dealt with that via a Hope Duo Lever (amazing bit of kit), but the chemotherapy has left her very fatigued. Since then all she's ridden is 2 half days in Morzine (greens only now) and one lap of the green in Andorra, there's no way she could cope with much peddling on UK trails, uplift isn't too bad, but still wipes her out the next day.
She wants to get out and do more riding, so I'm thinking emtb. While I'm not anti them, I've not made the jump yet myself, happy with my hardtail and full sus combo.
My questions:
Is there a noticeable difference in how a lightweight ebike or full power one feel? She's really worried they're going to be too heavy for her. I've told her (possibly incorrectly) that once she's riding it the weight will disappear, I'll be loading it in the car or motor home so weight in and of itself isn't an issue, unless it has a dramatic effect on the ride.
I'm thinking she can just ride everywhere in Sport/Turbo mode and it'll make it so she can do a 10-15k peddle ride, is this a thing? I've a friend with a ebike and he thinks it's about half the effort of a peddle bike. Bike shops tell me it's 75-80% of the effort of a peddle bike.
With regards to motors, any to avoid due to reliability?
I know the answer is ride some and see, have always done that myself. Slightly more complex with my wife, she's just over 5 foot so demo'ing a size S is impossible, also the brakes issues isn't ideal.
Thank you for any responses, I'm not looking for recommendations in particular, but if any of you are very short or have a loved one who is I'm happy to listen, budget is £4k ideally, can go to £5k if I had to.
3 years ago my wife was diagnosed with a pretty terrible brain tumour, she's doing really well and beating the dismal odds of surviving what she has. But the tumour has left her with a lot of left side weakness and she's left handed, I dealt with that via a Hope Duo Lever (amazing bit of kit), but the chemotherapy has left her very fatigued. Since then all she's ridden is 2 half days in Morzine (greens only now) and one lap of the green in Andorra, there's no way she could cope with much peddling on UK trails, uplift isn't too bad, but still wipes her out the next day.
She wants to get out and do more riding, so I'm thinking emtb. While I'm not anti them, I've not made the jump yet myself, happy with my hardtail and full sus combo.
My questions:
Is there a noticeable difference in how a lightweight ebike or full power one feel? She's really worried they're going to be too heavy for her. I've told her (possibly incorrectly) that once she's riding it the weight will disappear, I'll be loading it in the car or motor home so weight in and of itself isn't an issue, unless it has a dramatic effect on the ride.
I'm thinking she can just ride everywhere in Sport/Turbo mode and it'll make it so she can do a 10-15k peddle ride, is this a thing? I've a friend with a ebike and he thinks it's about half the effort of a peddle bike. Bike shops tell me it's 75-80% of the effort of a peddle bike.
With regards to motors, any to avoid due to reliability?
I know the answer is ride some and see, have always done that myself. Slightly more complex with my wife, she's just over 5 foot so demo'ing a size S is impossible, also the brakes issues isn't ideal.
Thank you for any responses, I'm not looking for recommendations in particular, but if any of you are very short or have a loved one who is I'm happy to listen, budget is £4k ideally, can go to £5k if I had to.
I'm still "normal" bikes only but I did do an experiment with a borrowed ebike a year or so ago.
It was a hybrid kind of bike, flat bars, fairly sit up and beg. I have a commute to work, which on my aero road bike takes me about an hour, around 25 km.
I did it one time on the borrowed ebike, and was 2 minutes faster. I was trying to keep the pedalling effort similar to my usual commute on the aero road bike.
My HRM tells me my usual commute is roughly a third each of z1/2/3. The ebike version of the ride was 85% z1. This was on the lowest level of assistance almost all the way. There is one slight hill on the way in to work, which isn't the longest or steepest, but I quite often avoid it. I put the ebike into max assist mode for this and gave it some effort on this climb, accelerating all the way up and laughing my head off! Very strange sensation the first time!
There was enough charge left to easily complete the return home that evening.
It was a hybrid kind of bike, flat bars, fairly sit up and beg. I have a commute to work, which on my aero road bike takes me about an hour, around 25 km.
I did it one time on the borrowed ebike, and was 2 minutes faster. I was trying to keep the pedalling effort similar to my usual commute on the aero road bike.
My HRM tells me my usual commute is roughly a third each of z1/2/3. The ebike version of the ride was 85% z1. This was on the lowest level of assistance almost all the way. There is one slight hill on the way in to work, which isn't the longest or steepest, but I quite often avoid it. I put the ebike into max assist mode for this and gave it some effort on this climb, accelerating all the way up and laughing my head off! Very strange sensation the first time!
There was enough charge left to easily complete the return home that evening.
Daveyraveygravey said:
I'm still "normal" bikes only but I did do an experiment with a borrowed ebike a year or so ago.
It was a hybrid kind of bike, flat bars, fairly sit up and beg. I have a commute to work, which on my aero road bike takes me about an hour, around 25 km.
I did it one time on the borrowed ebike, and was 2 minutes faster. I was trying to keep the pedalling effort similar to my usual commute on the aero road bike.
My HRM tells me my usual commute is roughly a third each of z1/2/3. The ebike version of the ride was 85% z1. This was on the lowest level of assistance almost all the way. There is one slight hill on the way in to work, which isn't the longest or steepest, but I quite often avoid it. I put the ebike into max assist mode for this and gave it some effort on this climb, accelerating all the way up and laughing my head off! Very strange sensation the first time!
There was enough charge left to easily complete the return home that evening.
Amazing answer, thank you. Good to know it didn't change your time much, that's one of my concerns with ebikes, how split up a group of mates cold get on a ride due to assistance. It was a hybrid kind of bike, flat bars, fairly sit up and beg. I have a commute to work, which on my aero road bike takes me about an hour, around 25 km.
I did it one time on the borrowed ebike, and was 2 minutes faster. I was trying to keep the pedalling effort similar to my usual commute on the aero road bike.
My HRM tells me my usual commute is roughly a third each of z1/2/3. The ebike version of the ride was 85% z1. This was on the lowest level of assistance almost all the way. There is one slight hill on the way in to work, which isn't the longest or steepest, but I quite often avoid it. I put the ebike into max assist mode for this and gave it some effort on this climb, accelerating all the way up and laughing my head off! Very strange sensation the first time!
There was enough charge left to easily complete the return home that evening.
It's probably obvious from your response, but I'm assuming you were much less tired after your ride?
I think at full assistance and riding at 10 - 15 mph, you would be looking at very little effort. Maybe 20% of normal.
Weight certainly is an issue at low speed. But once you are up and running no problem.
Why an emtb? My partner has a city bike style ebike which must be easier to handle. It's a specialised Como with hub gears. Very easy. My mother (in her 70s) had a specialized e road bike which was relatively lightweight - maybe 15kg.
Weight certainly is an issue at low speed. But once you are up and running no problem.
Why an emtb? My partner has a city bike style ebike which must be easier to handle. It's a specialised Como with hub gears. Very easy. My mother (in her 70s) had a specialized e road bike which was relatively lightweight - maybe 15kg.
ahelaborate said:
I think at full assistance and riding at 10 - 15 mph, you would be looking at very little effort. Maybe 20% of normal.
Weight certainly is an issue at low speed. But once you are up and running no problem.
Why an emtb? My partner has a city bike style ebike which must be easier to handle. It's a specialised Como with hub gears. Very easy. My mother (in her 70s) had a specialized e road bike which was relatively lightweight - maybe 15kg.
Thanks for your answer, interesting to know about the slow speed possible issues. Weight certainly is an issue at low speed. But once you are up and running no problem.
Why an emtb? My partner has a city bike style ebike which must be easier to handle. It's a specialised Como with hub gears. Very easy. My mother (in her 70s) had a specialized e road bike which was relatively lightweight - maybe 15kg.
Why an ebike, quite simply, we're mountain bikers and the bike needs to be able to handle bike parks and local trail riding (blues/reds). Riding on the road terrifies me!
missing the VR6 said:
...one of my concerns with ebikes, how split up a group of mates cold get on a ride due to assistance.
I'm do road riding mainly, and one of the older chaps in our groups has a E-bike (a Ribble). The overall time taken for his ebike and my regular bike on a 30 mile route are pretty much the same, however we don't spend much time riding alongside each other. On a steady or steep climb he is quicker than me and disappears off into the distance, but then I will catch him up when the roads flatten and the speeds go above 17-ish mph and will pull ahead. He'll then catch me on the next hill...rinse and repeat.The weight will disappear to a certain degree once riding it. The issue comes when trying to lift over fences/ stiles etc, damn heavy things.
Before I bought mine, I spent half a day in the Forest of Dean on a hire emtb. Not sure where you are but maybe hiring both to see how they compare for a few hours. Or maybe a bike shop has a demo?
So them she can decide which would suit better? I'm sure she'll find an emtb a great help with her issues though.
Before I bought mine, I spent half a day in the Forest of Dean on a hire emtb. Not sure where you are but maybe hiring both to see how they compare for a few hours. Or maybe a bike shop has a demo?
So them she can decide which would suit better? I'm sure she'll find an emtb a great help with her issues though.
missing the VR6 said:
Amazing answer, thank you. Good to know it didn't change your time much, that's one of my concerns with ebikes, how split up a group of mates cold get on a ride due to assistance.
It's probably obvious from your response, but I'm assuming you were much less tired after your ride?
Certainly a little but that route is only an hour and not that hilly. Most of my commutes in to work are with an eye on not falling asleep at work, and being able to ride home again at the end! I mix it up with intervals some days, or try to take advantage of a tail wind here and there.It's probably obvious from your response, but I'm assuming you were much less tired after your ride?
If your wife will be mainly riding off road, you will have to keep an eye on the charge level, but that will come with experience. I think most emtbs are pretty hard work once the battery has emptied.
My 14 year old son rides a 25kg eMTB. He weighs 58kg, so the bike is almost half his weight. He gets along just fine on it - jumping and general riding with no problems
He also has a 13kg hardtail MTB, and a 17kg downhill MTB so he can compare it with these. Obviously the weight difference is noticeable but not detrimental to riding it.
In terms of loading them into the car : that's my job and lifting 2x EMTB's of this weight isn't easy - start doing some weights at the gym
He also has a 13kg hardtail MTB, and a 17kg downhill MTB so he can compare it with these. Obviously the weight difference is noticeable but not detrimental to riding it.
In terms of loading them into the car : that's my job and lifting 2x EMTB's of this weight isn't easy - start doing some weights at the gym
Sounds like an e-mtb would be ideal. Get yourself to a local demonstration day, or just rent one locally for the day. I don't have one yet, but have ridden a few and can completely understand the appeal, they just make it soooo much easier. My experience has not been that they're harder at low speeds, the ones I've ridden have kicked in the assistance straight away and I've not noticed the extra weight, but everyone's experience will be different.
A colleagues father tested an Amflow here - https://shop.oneplanetadventure.com/. I'm sure if you explained the situation with the brakes and sizing they'd be super helpful, my experiences there have always been really positive and the trails are fantastic, from green to black (although a red here is more of a Morzine blue). They only officially rent out Specialised e-mtb's (they have a small Specilaized Levo 4 available to rent), but as said they gave him an Amflow for the day as a demo. If not local, make a weekend of it, it's a cracking part of the world.
Investigate Amflow and the motor they use, it seems to be the gold standard at the moment and being adopted by most of the major brands.
The only issue would be using the uplifts in Morzine where getting a heavy bike on the uplift is harder work. Easily solved by you riding separate lifts and you putting her bike on, or getting a liftie to help - they always seem super helpful in the summer, so can't see it being an issue in reality.
I'd also potentially get in contact with Hope. They are another amazing reactive company who seem to genuinely care about what they produce. I visited their factory and head office several years ago and everyone there was so enthusiastic about their stuff. They may be developing new versions of the duo lever or be able to give some advice. Again, worth a visit if you can get there or just give them a call.
A mtb mate of mine had a brain aneurism a few years ago, never thought he'd cycle again, but he's back on it and loving it, I hope all goes well for your wife.
A colleagues father tested an Amflow here - https://shop.oneplanetadventure.com/. I'm sure if you explained the situation with the brakes and sizing they'd be super helpful, my experiences there have always been really positive and the trails are fantastic, from green to black (although a red here is more of a Morzine blue). They only officially rent out Specialised e-mtb's (they have a small Specilaized Levo 4 available to rent), but as said they gave him an Amflow for the day as a demo. If not local, make a weekend of it, it's a cracking part of the world.
Investigate Amflow and the motor they use, it seems to be the gold standard at the moment and being adopted by most of the major brands.
The only issue would be using the uplifts in Morzine where getting a heavy bike on the uplift is harder work. Easily solved by you riding separate lifts and you putting her bike on, or getting a liftie to help - they always seem super helpful in the summer, so can't see it being an issue in reality.
I'd also potentially get in contact with Hope. They are another amazing reactive company who seem to genuinely care about what they produce. I visited their factory and head office several years ago and everyone there was so enthusiastic about their stuff. They may be developing new versions of the duo lever or be able to give some advice. Again, worth a visit if you can get there or just give them a call.
A mtb mate of mine had a brain aneurism a few years ago, never thought he'd cycle again, but he's back on it and loving it, I hope all goes well for your wife.
Thanks for the replies everyone, really useful. It seems an emtb should get her back out on the trails.
RE test rides, couldn't get one when we bought her peddle bike and there's even less choice of size small emtbs due to battery packaging. Really wanted the new Amflow but their smallest is a Medium. Have spoken to some local dealers and no chance of a demo.
RE static weight, no drama, she didn't ride on her own before the tumour, definitely wouldn't now, so I can happily lift it over things or onto lifts etc. Most of our local riding would be trail centre type stuff, so no stiles/fences to negotiate.
RE test rides, couldn't get one when we bought her peddle bike and there's even less choice of size small emtbs due to battery packaging. Really wanted the new Amflow but their smallest is a Medium. Have spoken to some local dealers and no chance of a demo.
RE static weight, no drama, she didn't ride on her own before the tumour, definitely wouldn't now, so I can happily lift it over things or onto lifts etc. Most of our local riding would be trail centre type stuff, so no stiles/fences to negotiate.
TGCOTF-dewey said:
Re the weight. Only time I notice the weight of mine - kenevo XL set up as a DH bike so very heavy - is on very steep and tight tech trails. For greens, she should be fine on a lighter normal ebike.
She's only doing Greens in Morzine etc, hoping to get her confidence back and back on blues and reds out there. In the UK, she'll be doing blues and some reds. Her fitness/fatigue will probably determine a lot of the length of UK trail rides as the longer trails tend to be higher difficulty level.JQ said:
One Planet Adventure above have a couple of demo Specialized S2 in stock, suitable for 5' 2", possibly worth a look.
Interesting, maybe worth a look and I'll take any excuse to go to LLandegla, love that place! Although she hated the pedal up before she was ill, don't suppose that will have changed!missing the VR6 said:
JQ said:
One Planet Adventure above have a couple of demo Specialized S2 in stock, suitable for 5' 2", possibly worth a look.
Interesting, maybe worth a look and I'll take any excuse to go to LLandegla, love that place! Although she hated the pedal up before she was ill, don't suppose that will have changed!First good to hear that the wife is doing well and still wants to ride.
I’ve got a full fat spesh kenevo (as well as other meat bikes) and have tried a few friends bike (mostly high end and full fat +700w batteries). It sounds like she would be absolutely fine with a light weight ebike over the full fat one. Unless you are bombing dh tracks the weight can be a pain to deal with. I can do 35 mile with 4500ft climbing but that is with me having assisted ranging from 30 to 60 % depending on what I am pedal up and overall speed - normally trying to keep up with others with more powerful motors.
A light weight ebike with 400-500 battery will be fine, if you are ready bother get a second battery or extender battery to allow options. Turbo mode to to powerful in most cases and the speed limiter is the biggest limiter on anything that fast
I’ve got a full fat spesh kenevo (as well as other meat bikes) and have tried a few friends bike (mostly high end and full fat +700w batteries). It sounds like she would be absolutely fine with a light weight ebike over the full fat one. Unless you are bombing dh tracks the weight can be a pain to deal with. I can do 35 mile with 4500ft climbing but that is with me having assisted ranging from 30 to 60 % depending on what I am pedal up and overall speed - normally trying to keep up with others with more powerful motors.
A light weight ebike with 400-500 battery will be fine, if you are ready bother get a second battery or extender battery to allow options. Turbo mode to to powerful in most cases and the speed limiter is the biggest limiter on anything that fast
mattvanders said:
First good to hear that the wife is doing well and still wants to ride.
I ve got a full fat spesh kenevo (as well as other meat bikes) and have tried a few friends bike (mostly high end and full fat +700w batteries). It sounds like she would be absolutely fine with a light weight ebike over the full fat one. Unless you are bombing dh tracks the weight can be a pain to deal with. I can do 35 mile with 4500ft climbing but that is with me having assisted ranging from 30 to 60 % depending on what I am pedal up and overall speed - normally trying to keep up with others with more powerful motors.
A light weight ebike with 400-500 battery will be fine, if you are ready bother get a second battery or extender battery to allow options. Turbo mode to to powerful in most cases and the speed limiter is the biggest limiter on anything that fast
Some of the lightweight emtb's have 400kw batteries, my full fat one battery, being 7 yrs old now, is only 500 so she won't lose a lot if she went for a higher capacity one.I ve got a full fat spesh kenevo (as well as other meat bikes) and have tried a few friends bike (mostly high end and full fat +700w batteries). It sounds like she would be absolutely fine with a light weight ebike over the full fat one. Unless you are bombing dh tracks the weight can be a pain to deal with. I can do 35 mile with 4500ft climbing but that is with me having assisted ranging from 30 to 60 % depending on what I am pedal up and overall speed - normally trying to keep up with others with more powerful motors.
A light weight ebike with 400-500 battery will be fine, if you are ready bother get a second battery or extender battery to allow options. Turbo mode to to powerful in most cases and the speed limiter is the biggest limiter on anything that fast
mattvanders said:
First good to hear that the wife is doing well and still wants to ride.
I ve got a full fat spesh kenevo (as well as other meat bikes) and have tried a few friends bike (mostly high end and full fat +700w batteries). It sounds like she would be absolutely fine with a light weight ebike over the full fat one. Unless you are bombing dh tracks the weight can be a pain to deal with. I can do 35 mile with 4500ft climbing but that is with me having assisted ranging from 30 to 60 % depending on what I am pedal up and overall speed - normally trying to keep up with others with more powerful motors.
A light weight ebike with 400-500 battery will be fine, if you are ready bother get a second battery or extender battery to allow options. Turbo mode to to powerful in most cases and the speed limiter is the biggest limiter on anything that fast
Thank you.I ve got a full fat spesh kenevo (as well as other meat bikes) and have tried a few friends bike (mostly high end and full fat +700w batteries). It sounds like she would be absolutely fine with a light weight ebike over the full fat one. Unless you are bombing dh tracks the weight can be a pain to deal with. I can do 35 mile with 4500ft climbing but that is with me having assisted ranging from 30 to 60 % depending on what I am pedal up and overall speed - normally trying to keep up with others with more powerful motors.
A light weight ebike with 400-500 battery will be fine, if you are ready bother get a second battery or extender battery to allow options. Turbo mode to to powerful in most cases and the speed limiter is the biggest limiter on anything that fast
I tend to agree, a lightweight is the way to go and looking at the manufacturer claimed ranges, an SL one would have enough range on it's lowest range for what she'll realistically do.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff